The audio brand "final" has a long history. Founded in 1974 in the midst of an audio boom. Starting with analog record player cartridges, we have expanded our audio products to amplifiers and speakers. At that time, it was said that it was developing its business by selling it directly to users.
The current earphones and headphones were launched in 2009. As a new company S'NEXT, while developing and selling the final brand, it also handles the design of driver units and is also known as an OEM and ODM manufacturer.
"I didn't aim for the smallest and lightest."
The final announced the new "F" series on July 15th, and held an event in "Potafes 2016" on July 16th. The F series has a lineup of three models, "F7200 / F4100 / F3100", and is ultra-lightweight and compact with a body weight of approximately 2g and a body diameter of 5.5mm. It features a compact size that is "currently the smallest and lightest among removable earphones" (Mr. Teruhito Matsunaga of S'NEXT).
From the left "F3100 / F4100 / F7200"Despite its compact appearance, the high-end model F7200 / F4100 has a cable that can be attached and detached using the MMCX terminal. All three models are equipped with a full-range balanced armature driver.
"We did not aim for the smallest and lightest, but as a result of pursuing sound quality, this shape was achieved. The shape of the human ear is different in size and length, and there are cases where it cannot be properly attached when it is a large size. In order to solve this problem, we made it smaller and lighter so that it would be comfortable to wear, "said Matsunaga, explaining why he adopted the ultra-lightweight and compact size of the F series.
By properly attaching the compact housing to the back of the ear, the sound is transmitted directly to the eardrum, and there is also the merit of being able to alleviate the tight parts in the high range. Sound insulation is also improved because it can be inserted deep into the ear.
However, this compact size was not created overnight. The final headquarters in Kawasaki has its own factory on the 1st floor and an office on the 2nd floor, which is a structure that integrates manufacturing, development, and sales departments. In the factory, adjustments in millimeters continued every day.
From the left, a comparison of the final brand's current models "Heaven V" and "F7200" with a 1-yen coin. You can see how small the F7200 is
Ultimate commitment to cables, finishes and seams
The top two models of the F7200 / F4100 are cable detachable, and only the high-end model F7200 uses a stainless steel housing and uses the original high-purity OFC silver-coated cable.
The OFC silver-coated cable is a product jointly developed with Junko Co., Ltd., which develops and manufactures cables for the supercomputer "K computer", and uses PFA Teflon for the insulating coating. By adopting PVC for the outer skin, it is said that the flexibility has been increased. Normally, it has a strong habit, and it makes it easier to handle materials such as fishing line by softening it without slowing down the transmission speed. It becomes hard when heat is used during manufacturing, so it is made without using heat. "(Mr. Matsunaga).
In the bending test in which the plug is bent 90 degrees to the left and right with a focus on durability, 50,000 tests were conducted while it is generally said to be clear in 5,000 times.
In addition, one of the major features of the F7200 is the beautiful finish of the "final-like" housing. Keitaro Mori of J, who is the distributor of final, said, "Because we are particular about the beauty of even the joints, we assembled the housing part once, polished it, then removed it and reassembled it to make it a smooth and beautiful finish. Normally, parts In many cases, it is a process of polishing and assembling each, but if you increase the number of polishing processes by one after assembling, the finish will be different. "
The F7200 is completely made in Japan, and all final products are checked by human eyes.
Kenji Nomura, an audio writer who took the stage at the event, said, "It's nice for earphones to be small and light. However, although it's small, the sound isn't cut out, and I think it's true. The position of the earpads can be adjusted from the eardrum, which is great in terms of flexibility. "
The mounting position can be changed depending on the size of the ear padThe estimated market price including tax is 49,800 yen for the F7200, 29,800 yen for the F4100, and 19,800 yen for the F3100. Considering that it is a final brand that has a lineup of headphone prestige model "SONOROUS X" with a sales price of 629,000 yen including tax, it is no wonder that "the price was set quite aggressively" (Mori).
F4100 / F3100 has a black alumite finish with aluminum housing. Equipped with an original high-purity OFC black cable. The F3100 cannot be attached or detached, but it has been devised to be easy to handle, such as by making grooves to prevent it from getting entangled. People who have already exhibited it for reference at exhibitions, etc., said, "Some people like the F4100 more than the F7200, and their tastes are different. There is a big price difference, but there is a difference in sound, so I definitely like listening. I want you to choose the right one "(Mr. Matsunaga).
Mr. Nomura also said, "The price of 19,800 yen for F3100 is quite ambitious. It is also a price range that is easy for people to recommend."
The main body comes with 5 sizes of silicon type and 3 types of foam type earpieces, as well as ear hooks and a carrying case. The carrying case is designed so that the cable can be wound and stored, and it is integrally molded from a single sheet of silicon. Mr. Mori says, "If you store the plug and the housing in the same place, it may be scratched and scratched, so we made it a shape that can be stored while winding it separately. It is also highly durable," he said. The cable will be sold separately.
A state of the event held at "Potafes 2016".From the left, Mr. Kenji Nomura, Mr. Ryota Nishi of e ☆ earphone, Mr. Teruhito Matsunaga of S'NEXT, Mr. Keitaro Mori of J